Then there’s this deeply moving video that high school student Gabriella Runnells recently made addressing the plight of girls in the developing world, using Zoë’s song “Optimist” as the score (which you can read more about on Zoë’s Tumblr):

Zoë’s also got a short tour in the works. US west coast beasties, this may be your last chance to see her live before 2013, after her new album (in the works now) comes out:

Sorry I know anyone can criticize and this is my second one this week, yikes! I love this blog and have spent countless typeings praising its bold articles and opinions. But what about male genital mutilation? Better knows as circumcision done regularly in this very country (I am assuming coilhouse was founded in the U.S) and many others. I have heard at least one person say they weren’t even aware it is an option not to do. People do not understand that it is a very painful procedure which babies are not numb during. It really makes me angry and sad. FGM is spotlighted because it is culturally shocking, but circumcision should be addressed too.